Retired Charlotte executive to buy city’s minor-league soccer team

Charlotte Independence goalkeeper John Berner, center, kicks the ball downfield against the Charleston Battery in first half of United Soccer League game played at UNCC Transamerica Field in a 2015 file photo. Retired Charlotte exec Dan DiMicco is buying the Independence. NELL REDMONDCharlotte Observer

Charlotte Independence goalkeeper John Berner, center, kicks the ball downfield against the Charleston Battery in first half of United Soccer League game played at UNCC Transamerica Field in a 2015 file photo. Retired Charlotte exec Dan DiMicco is buying the Independence. NELL REDMONDCharlotte Observer

Dan DiMicco, the former CEO of Charlotte-based Nucor, will soon becomes the majority owner of the city’s minor-league soccer team.

In an email to the Observer Thursday, Charlotte Independence President Jim McPhilliamy called the retired executive a “great addition to our investor group.”

“He invested in the team last year and has become very passionate about the team from both a competitive and business perspective. He’s furthered his involvement to help us move our vision for the team forward. Plus, he’s a really good guy!” McPhilliamy said.

“Business is family to him and I’m pumped to have him leading our team.”

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Dan DiMicco, the former CEO of Charlotte-based Nucor, will soon becomes the majority owner of the city’s minor-league soccer team.

John D. Simmons jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com

It is unclear what DiMicco’s purchase price was. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

Late last year, Mecklenburg County commissioners voted to spend $32 million to renovate the historical Memorial Stadium, where the Independence, part of the United Soccer League, could one day play. They currently play at the Matthews Sportsplex.

Before race track exec Marcus Smith announced he was trying to bring Major League Soccer to Charlotte, McPhilliamy had said he wanted to grow minor-league soccer with the hopes of eventually landing an MLS team. He has said that’s still possible.

DiMicco retired from Nucor in early 2013 after having served as CEO since 2000.

An outspoken supporter of domestic manufacturing, DiMicco recently served as a trade adviser to President Donald Trump. And before Trump nominated former Reagan administration official Robert Lighthizer to be U.S. trade representative last year, DiMicco had been under consideration for the post.

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